SUNDAY 20 MARCH - The City of Sails

The Auckland metropolitan area in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with 1,354,900 residents, 31 percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world. In Māori Auckland's name is Tāmaki-makau-rau, or the transliterated version of Auckland, Ākarana. The 2010 Mercer Quality of Living Survey ranked Auckland 4th equal place in the world on its list, while The Economist's World's Most Livable Cities index of 2010 ranked Auckland in 10th place. In 2008, Auckland was classified as an Alpha-City in the World Cities Study Group’s inventory by Loughborough University, the only one in the country.

Known as the City of Sails Auckland is surrounded by large expanses of sheltered harbours, islands and inlets that make it a great boating and sailing centre.

Today was my opportunity to see something of this great city and the surrounding countryside. This was made possible by my host Duncan McDonald who invited me to join him on the monthly rally run of the Auckland Mazda MX5 Owners Club. On the way to the rally we called in at the magnificent modern Anglican Cathedral which is one of the sights of the city.


The rally attracted about forty MX5 owners with their multiple coloured sporty cars.


We set off on our drive in the area of the Waitakere Ranges, a hilly area of narrow lanes and forests to the west of the city. Beautiful countryside reminiscent of Cornwall. Many Auckland commuters own property in the area where they enjoy elevated positions with spectacular views and slightly cooler conditions in the hot and humid high summer season. Our rally ended with a beachside picnic at Huia Bay, and a chance to chat about the high quality of Auckland life with Some of Duncan's fellow club members.





In the evening Duncan and Julie McDonald very kindly hosted a dinner party at which I was able to meet other members of the executive Team of the Selwyn Foundation and their partners.

Location:Auckland